Texas A&M DL commit David Hicks Jr. now a Five-Star Plus+ prospect

On3 imageby:Marshall Levenson10/12/22

MarshallLevyOn3

Each recruiting cycle there is a small group of prospects who are rated as five-star recruits by all four major recruiting services. Those players earn  Five-Star Plus+ status. These recruits are considered the best of the best by the industry. As of this afternoon, after some updates in the industry rankings, Texas A&M defensive line commitment David Hicks is now a Five-Star Plus+ prospect.

He is one of six recruits in the 2023 class to be ranked as a Five-Star on all four major recruiting media services.

Hicks committed to Texas A&M September 28 after months of trending to the Oklahoma Sooners. As the No. 1 defensive lineman in the country, he is one of the cornerstone pieces of the Aggies 2023 class. He is one of two five-stars in the class with linebacker, Anthony Hill.

Hicks is currently the only Five-Star Plus+ prospect in the 2023 class for the Aggies. However, the Aggies signed a ridiculous four Five-Star Plus+ prospects in the 2022 class. The class became the highest ranked class of all time.

Hicks is playing his senior season at Katy (Texas) Paetow after spending his junior season at Texas powerhouse, Allen.

It is no surprise that Hicks has the athletic makeup he does. Hicks’ father played in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals after graduating from Grambling State. He also played in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Hicks said he owes a lot of his success to the drive instilled in him by his father. “He taught me to never stop working,” Hicks said. “I know it can be taken away at any minute.”

On3 Scouting Summary

Physically-developed defensive lineman with advanced power along with length and quickness. Possesses a big frame with a muscled build and an 80-inch wingspan at 6-foot-4. Has brute strength which he pairs with initial quickness to create steady disruption along the line of scrimmage. Consistently shows quick and powerful hands at the point of attack with some advanced pass rush technique for a young defensive lineman. Very much a power player at this point in his development, but plays with some nuance and technical skill. Working at both defensive end and defensive tackle as a junior at a powerhouse program in Texas’ highest classification. A strong, but not elite athlete. Turned in dominant showings at college camps prior to his junior season.